Sports
LG Boss Harps On Grassroots Sports Dev
Chairman, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi, Chief Eni-Uduma Chima says grassroots sports development is critical for discovering and harnessing potential sporting talents.
Chima spoke, yesterday at Ekoli-Edda, after handing over a trophy to the Amaeke Football Club, winner of the 2018 edition of the Ekoli-Umunna Football Association (EUFA)’s organised tournament.
Chima commended the organisers of the tournament and the teams that participated in the soccer fiesta, describing sports as an instrument for peace building and unity.
He called on governments at all levels, sports lovers as well as wealthy individuals to invest in grassroots sports development to uncover hidden sporting talents.
“The essence of this annual football tournament is to promote peace, unity among the communities that participate in the soccer fiesta and provide recreation to citizens who came home for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Our people value this competition more than the English Premier League or the European Champions League.
“The competition gives us opportunity to look at the people playing in the tournament and pick potential football talents from there.
“The grassroots soccer competition which started 29 years ago has led to the discovery of football stars of international repute, including the likes of late Chief Kalu Idikaku – Pele – a former captain of the Nigerian Green Eagles,’’ Chima said.
The council chairman, who paid tribute to the founding fathers of the football competition, promised to ensure the continuity of the annual soccer event.
He promised to plant grasses at the pitch of Egbegbu mini stadium, Ekoli-Edda to enhance general infrastructure at the mini-stadium.
Chima also addressed the crowd of spectators who thronged to watch the final match, urging them to participate actively in the 2019 general elections.
He urged members of the community who were yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to ensure that they collect them to enable them exercise their civic responsibility.
He said that the council would assist members of the community resident in different parts of the country to come home and vote by providing them with free transportation during the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
The council chairman informed the indigenes of the various developmental projects undertaken by Gov. Dave Umahi and called for their continued support for the governor’s re-election.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.